Follow in the wake of explorers on this comprehensive cruise. Begin in legendary Fiji, where you’ll visit the country’s cultural centers along with more remote destinations. From the “Sugar City”—Lautoka, the heart of Fiji’s sugarcane-growing region—you’ll cruise to lovely Suva, the Fijian capital, where you’ll discover a blend of Polynesian flair and European sophistication. Contrast this bustling metropolis with Savsavu, sometimes called the “Hidden Paradise of Fiji.” Next, be among the first in the world to greet the new day in the islands of Vava’u, Tonga, with their spectacularly clear waters brimming with colorful marine life. Your two-week voyage then takes you to the Cook Island of Aitutaki, with its unique culture and exquisite lagoon, and on to the spectacularly beautiful Society Islands, home waters of The Gauguin.

Excursions

There is a wide variety of options for excursions, such as:

Circle Island Tour (Aitutaki)

Aqua Bike Adventure (Bora Bora)

Aito Off-Road Safari (Moorea)

For more information, ask one of our cruise specialists when you contact us.

Begin your South Pacific adventure in the heart of Fiji’s sugarcane-growing region. Here, you’ll embark your luxurious floating home for the next 11 nights: the m/s Paul Gauguin.

Day 2 Suva, Viti Levu, Fiji

In Fiji, virtually everyone you’ll meet will be smiling—and when you view the high mountains, lush vegetation, shimmering waters, and pristine white-sand beaches of this island nation, you’ll understand why. The capital of Fiji since 1883, Suva is located on rugged Viti Levu, the largest of the island chain and home to 75% of the country’s population. Suva itself is the largest urban area in the South Pacific outside of Australia and New Zealand. Perched on a hilly peninsula between two harbors, it boasts a fascinating mix of modern and colonial architectural, as well as a sophisticated ambiance. On your own, perhaps you’ll visit the Fiji Museum or Handicraft Centre, or stroll the Victoria Parade, the city’s main street. Or join a shore excursion for a walk through the rain forest, a round a golf, a diving expedition, and more.

Day 3 Savusavu, Vanua Levu, Fiji

The island of Vanua Levu in northern Fiji remains largely undeveloped, making it a charming, unspoiled haven. It is the second-largest of Fiji’s 300 islands, and, because of its remoteness, it is reminiscent of the South Seas before its European discovery. Largely unchanged over the past 30 years, the village of Savusavu is sometimes called the “Hidden Paradise of Fiji,” with its single, half-mile-long main street facing a fantastically beautiful bay. In the afternoon, you can see pots on top of steaming fissures as women prepare the evening meal on the hot springs that bubble up throughout the town. Explore at your leisure, or join one of many available shore excursions, such as a visit to a black-pearl farm, a Fijian village, or a plantation.

Day 4 At Sea

Spend the day enjoying The Gauguin’s Polynesian ambiance: casual, leisurely, and elegant. Perhaps you’ll work out in the fitness center and later enjoy specialties inspired by one of the top chefs of Paris over dinner in La Veranda.

Day 5 Vava’u, Tonga

One of the easternmost countries in the world, nudging the International Date Line, the Kingdom of Tonga was never colonized by Europeans, a distinction it shares with no other South Pacific nation. As a result, today it is the oldest and last remaining Polynesian monarchy, and its culture remains strong, even in the face of modernization. One of the Kingdom of Tonga’s three main island groups, the islands of Vava’u are renowned for their colorful coral reefs, white-sand beaches, and lagoon so clear, you can see to a depth of 130 feet. Perhaps you’ll join a shore excursion to Swallows Cave, a famous bird sanctuary. Or discover the calm waterways by sea kayak.

Day 6-7 At Sea / Cross International Date Line

Spend two days enjoying shipboard life: take a dip in the pool, watch the South Pacific pass by, play some table tennis, or read up on our next port at the Reading Gallery. And enjoy live entertainment in Le Grand Salon after a sumptuous gourmet dinner at L’Etoile.

Day 8 Aitutaki, Cook Islands

Only eight square miles in area, the Cook Island of Aitutaki is so flat, you can spot the ocean from nearly any point. Coconut, pineapple, banana, and tapioca plantations are sprinkled throughout the island, which is surrounded by coral reefs that enclose an especially large and exquisite turquoise lagoon. Bask in the sun and enjoy breathtaking views of the shimmering lagoon during an optional boat cruise and beach visit. Or venture to a nearby marine reserve for some snorkeling.

Day 9 At Sea

Today, take advantage all The Gauguin has to offer. Perhaps you’ll enjoy a massage at our luxurious spa or relax on the Pool Deck with a drink at Le Grill.

Day 10 Bora Bora, Society Islands

Pulitzer Prize-winning author James A. Michener called Bora Bora “the most beautiful island in the world.” Dominated by towering Mount Otemanu and surrounded by a lagoon protected by low-lying coral reefs, this is indeed a spectacular destination. The ship arrives here in the morning and remains until late in the evening, giving you a full day in this quintessential Pacific paradise. Perhaps you’ll take advantage of complimentary swimming and snorkeling on our private beach on a motu off the main island. Or explore the island by land or sea on a range of shore excursions.

Day 11 Taha’a (Motu Mahana), Society Islands

Motu Mahana, an islet adjacent to Taha’a, is our very own South Seas paradise featuring white-sand beaches with swaying palms, crystal-clear waters, and gentle breezes. As an exclusive Paul Gauguin event, you will have a full day to relax on this idyllic, isolated island, enjoying swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking, or simply relaxing on the beach with a beverage from the floating bar. Les Gauguines will also be on hand to provide musical entertainment and demonstrate traditional Polynesian crafts. And savor a delicious barbecue lunch of fresh Polynesian specialties and popular Western fare.

Day 12 Moorea, Society Islands / Papeete, Tahiti, Society Islands

Moorea’s lush scenery is like something out of a dream: spectacular mountain peaks cloaked in lush vegetation, an abundance of fresh fruits and flowers, and peaceful multi-hued lagoons framed by palm-fringed beaches. Spend the day reveling in the island’s unsurpassed beauty and wealth of activities. Perhaps you’ll take an optional air-conditioned coach ride around the island to admire the stunning views. In the evening, The Gauguin cruises to Tahiti.

Day 13 Disembark in Papeete, Tahiti

In the morning, you’ll have brunch aboard ship in Tahiti’s bustling capital before disembarking for your return home.

Follow in the wake of explorers on this comprehensive cruise. Begin in the spectacularly beautiful Society Islands, home waters of The Gauguin, and sail on to the Cook Island of Aitutaki, with its unique culture and exquisite lagoon. Cross the International Date Line en route to the islands of Vava’u, Tonga, with their spectacularly clear waters brimming with colorful marine life. Your captain next charts a course to legendary Fiji, where you’ll visit the country’s cultural centers along with more remote destinations. Contrast Savsavu, sometimes called the “Hidden Paradise of Fiji,” with lovely Suva, Fiji’s bustling capital, where you’ll discover a blend of Polynesian flair and European sophistication. And enjoy a true escape from everyday cares on the remote, family-owned Malolo Island before arriving in the “Sugar City”—Lautoka, the heart of Fiji’s sugarcane-growing region, where your cruise draws to a close.

Itinerary

Day 1 Embark the m/s Paul Gauguin in Papeete, Tahiti

Begin your journey to paradise in the capital of Tahiti. Here, you’ll embark your home for the next 13 nights: the luxurious yet casual m/s Paul Gauguin. The ship sets sail late this evening.

Day 2 Moorea

Moorea’s lush scenery is like something out of a dream: spectacular mountain peaks cloaked in lush vegetation, an abundance of fresh fruits and flowers, and peaceful multi-hued lagoons framed by palm-fringed beaches. Spend the day reveling in the island’s unsurpassed beauty and wealth of activities. Perhaps you’ll take an optional air-conditioned coach ride around the island to admire the stunning views.

Day 3 Taha’a (Motu Mahana), Society Islands

Motu Mahana, an islet adjacent to Taha’a, is our very own South Seas paradise featuring white-sand beaches with swaying palms, crystal-clear waters, and gentle breezes. As an exclusive Paul Gauguin event, you will have a full day to relax on this idyllic, isolated island, enjoying swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking, or simply relaxing on the beach with a beverage from the floating bar. Les Gauguines will also be on hand to provide musical entertainment and demonstrate traditional Polynesian crafts. And savor a delicious barbecue lunch of fresh Polynesian specialties and popular Western fare.

Day 4 Bora Bora

Ancient Polynesians called Bora Bora Parapora, or “firstborn,” because they thought it was the first island created after Raiatea. Enjoy another day to delve into its exotic beauty and culture. Perhaps you’ll take advantage of complimentary swimming and snorkeling on our private beach on a motu off the main island. Or explore the island by land or sea on a range of shore excursions.

Day 5 At Sea

Today, take advantage all the The m/s Paul Gauguin has to offer. Perhaps you’ll enjoy a massage at our luxurious spa or relax on the Pool Deck with a drink at Le Grille.

Day 6 Aitutaki, Cook Islands

Only eight square miles in area, the Cook Island of Aitutaki is so flat, you can spot the ocean from nearly any point. Coconut, pineapple, banana, and tapioca plantations are sprinkled throughout the island, which is surrounded by coral reefs that enclose an especially large and exquisite turquoise lagoon. Bask in the sun and enjoy breathtaking views of the shimmering lagoon during an optional boat cruise and beach visit. Or venture to a nearby marine reserve for some snorkeling.

Days 7-8 At Sea / Cross International Date Line

You have two days to enjoy The Gauguin’s Polynesian ambiance: casual, leisurely, and elegant. Perhaps you’ll work out in the fitness center and later enjoy specialties inspired by one of the top chefs of Paris over dinner in La Veranda.

Day 9 Vava’u, Tonga

One of the easternmost countries in the world, nudging the International Date Line, the Kingdom of Tonga was never colonized by Europeans, a distinction it shares with no other South Pacific nation. As a result, today it is the oldest and last remaining Polynesian monarchy, and its culture remains strong, even in the face of modernization. One of the Kingdom of Tonga’s three main island groups, the islands of Vava’u are renowned for their colorful coral reefs, white-sand beaches, and lagoon so clear, you can see to a depth of 130 feet. Perhaps you’ll join a shore excursion to Swallows Cave, a famous bird sanctuary. Or discover the calm waterways by sea kayak.

Day 10 At Sea

Spend another day enjoying shipboard life: take a dip in the pool, watch the South Pacific pass by, play some table tennis, or read up on our next port at the Reading Gallery. And enjoy live entertainment in Le Grand Salon after a sumptuous gourmet dinner at L’Etoile.

Day 11 Savusavu, Vanua Levu, Fiji

In Fiji, virtually everyone you’ll meet will be smiling—and when you view the high mountains, lush vegetation, shimmering waters, and pristine white-sand beaches of this island nation, you’ll understand why. The island of Vanua Levu in northern Fiji remains largely undeveloped, making it a charming, unspoiled haven. It is the second-largest of Fiji’s 300 islands, and, because of its remoteness, it is reminiscent of the South Seas before European discovery. Largely unchanged over the past 30 years, the village of Savusavu is sometimes called the “Hidden Paradise of Fiji,” with its single, half-mile-long main street facing a fantastically beautiful bay. In the afternoon, you can see pots on top of steaming fissures as women prepare the evening meal on the hot springs that bubble up throughout the town. Explore at your leisure, or join one of many available shore excursions, such as a visit to a black-pearl farm, a Fijian village, or a plantation.

Day 12 Suva, Viti Levu, Fiji

The capital of Fiji since 1883, Suva is located on rugged Viti Levu, the largest of the island chain and home to 75% of the country’s population. Suva itself is the largest urban area in the South Pacific outside of Australia and New Zealand. Perched on a hilly peninsula between two harbors, it boasts a fascinating mix of modern and colonial architectural, as well as a sophisticated ambiance. On your own, perhaps you’ll visit the Fiji Museum or Handicraft Centre, or stroll the Victoria Parade, the city’s main street. Or join a shore excursion for a walk through the rain forest, a round a golf, a diving expedition, and more.

Day 13 Malolo Island, Fiji / Lautoka, Viti Levu, Fiji

Rising just a few feet above sea level, Malolo is a remote and rustic getaway owned by a Fijian family. Take advantage of the opportunity to truly get away from it all as you admire the golden-sand beaches, swaying palms, and azure skies … marvel at the phenomenal snorkeling, with an abundance of tropical fish inhabiting local reefs … take in sweeping sea views from the comfort of a double hammock … and enjoy true Fijian hospitality, offered by villagers whose ancestry here dates back thousands of years. Late this afternoon, The Gauguin sails to Lautoka, where you will overnight on board.

Day 14 Disembark in Lautoka

In the morning, you’ll have brunch aboard ship in Lautoka before disembarking for your return home.

EXTEND YOUR STAY

Bora Bora

Author James Michener referred to Bora Bora as “the most beautiful Island in the world,” and once wrote, “Anyone who has ever been there wants to go back.” It is a playground for the wealthy and the romantic, an icon amid an entire region of islands known for their idyllic beauty.

Fiji

Subtle sophistication and laidback luxury await you at the Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa. Infusing Sofitel’s French influences with exotic Fijian customs, the resort boasts the Pacific’s largest lagoon-style pool, world-class dining, a sublime International Day Spa, and an unsurpassed range of adrenalin-pumping activities that make for an unforgettable experience.

Moorea

Velvety mountain peaks… white-sand beaches with swaying palms… sheltered azure bays… gentle breezes… Moorea is the very picture of the ideal island getaway. And you can immerse yourself in its splendor with a hotel stay at a luxury hotel that offers world-class service in a spectacular setting.

Taha’a

The exotic scent of the island’s most famous crop perfumes the air. The “Vanilla Island,” Taha’a, enchants with its wild beauty and incomparable luxury. And you have the opportunity to breathe it all in from Vahine Island Private Island Resort.

Tahiti

Tarry a while in Tahiti, where rugged headlands tumble down to soft sand beaches and tropical gardens scent the air. Here, on Polynesia’s most cosmopolitan island, you’ll experience a welcoming ambiance with a touch of French flair.